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Walt Disney's Chicago Birthplace Will Be Restored, Turned Into Museum By New Buyers

Walt Disney's Chicago Birthplace To Be Turned Into Museum
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The nondescript Chicago two-flat where, according to historians, famed cartoonist Walt Disney was born in 1901 is set to be developed into a museum and kid-focused community resource center.

The home, located at 2156 North Tripp Ave. in the city's Hermosa neighborhood, was sold to Dina Benadon and Brent Young, of the Hollywood-based amusement park firm Super 78, earlier this year, according to Crain's Chicago.

"Their goal is to protect and preserve the location and to open it as a museum to the public," a spokesman for Benadon and Young told Crain's.

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The New York Times notes many others have aimed to "get people to care" about the 1893 home for decades, but the home was previously denied landmark status by a city committee due to the home's architectural insignificance and Disney's own controversial past when it came to matters of race and ethnicity.

Then-alderman (and current Cook County Board President) Toni Preckwinkle was one of the committee members who declined to grant the home landmark status in 1997.

"I think we have to be careful of who we choose as our heroes," Preckwinkle previously said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "I don't find Walt Disney to be a hero. He was not only a well-known anti-Semite. He was racist and anti-labor."

Ground will be broken on the restoration at the Disney home on Thursday, which would have been the animation legend's 112th birthday, according to ABC Chicago.

Curbed Chicago notes Mayor Rahm Emanuel will also designate Thursday as "Walt Disney Day" in honor of the occasion.

As Yesterland noted in a 2008 article, few of the other places associated with Disney's childhood -- he lived in the city until the age of four and again from the age of 16-18 -- remain, having been replaced or destroyed over the years.

Before You Go

10 Best Disneyland Rides Ever
Splash Mountain(01 of10)
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On a warm summer day in the middle of July, 1989, Splash Mountain opened to the public. The log-flume style ride cost a whopping $75 million to build and was named "Splash" Mountain in an effort to advertise the movie "Splash," with Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. It's one of Disney's most beloved rides, and kids everywhere are at once excited and scared out of their minds to face the imminent drop. (credit:Disneyland / Facebook)
Space Mountain (02 of10)
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Opened for the first time in 1977, Space Mountain has become a cornerstone Disneyland attraction. Though the project was initially shelved due to spacial limitations, Bill Watkins, a designer/imagineer, brought back Walt Disney's far-fetched indoor thrill idea after his death. NOTE: A previous version of this slide stated that Space Mountain was the world's first tubular steel roller coaster. It was not. (credit:Space Mountain/Facebook)
Matterhorn(03 of10)
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The Matterhorn, opened in 1959, is composed of two intertwining steel coasters. The ride is named after a mountain in the Swiss Alps, and is an ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) landmark because of its unique tubular steel continuous track. It's known for quick speeds and crazy twists, complete with the Abominable Snowman and favorite Disney characters such as Mickey and Goofy scaling the peak. (credit:Getty)
Pirates of the Caribbean(04 of10)
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Opened in 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean was the final attraction Walt Disney oversaw before his death three months before the ride debuted. The slow-moving water coaster originally told the story of a band of pirates and is known for making the song "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" famous. In 2003, the ride was the inspiration for Johnny Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. (credit:Disney's 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Theme Ride/Facebook)
Indiana Jones(05 of10)
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Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye is an enhanced motion vehicle attraction inspired by the "Indiana Jones" films. Riders follow archeologist Dr. Indiana Jones on a daring expedition through a daunting lost temple. The ride premiered in March 1995 and is now one of Disney's most adored destinations. (credit:Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology/Facebook)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad(06 of10)
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In the heart of Frontierland lies Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, an indoor/outdoor mine train roller coaster. The attraction opened in 1979 and was designed by Bill Watkins and Tony Baxter in an attempt to add to the Western River Expedition -- a western-themed pavilion at Disney parks. (credit:I Love Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland/Facebook)
Haunted Mansion(07 of10)
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Built in 1969, the Haunted Mansion was one of Walt Disney's first attraction ideas. Riders enter the mansion through a set of creepy gates which lead to a cemetery. Cast who work on the ride are told not to smile in order to further emphasize the spooky atmosphere of the ride. (credit:The Haunted Mansion/Facebook)
It's A Small World(08 of10)
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It's a Small World was created in 1964 by Disney to test concepts for ride systems. It was then later moved and re-built at Disneyland after the World's Fair closed in 1966. WED productions was given only 11 months time to create and build the ride. It's A Small World is known for its hauntingly beautiful song, "Children of the World." Patrons typically have the song stuck in their head for days after visiting Disneyland. (credit:It's A Small World Attraction/Facebook)
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride(09 of10)
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Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has been operational since day one of Disneyland's opening in 1955, securing its place as one of Disney's most famed attractions. The ride's story is based on Disney's adaptation of "The Wind In The Willows," a 1949 film. Fun fact: Corey Burton plays the voice of every single character in the whole attraction. (credit:Mr. Toad's Wild Ride/Facebook)
Autopia(10 of10)
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The name Autopia merges the words "automobile utopia," which was popularized in academic circles by British architecture critic Reyner Banham to describe LA in his 1971 book "Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies." Autopia, along with Mr. Toads Wild Ride, opened with the park in 1955. Cars were originally tested without bumpers or guide rails, which lead to disastrous results. Eventually, after many developments, the cars were deemed fit for passenger use and the ride opened to the public. Now even little kids get the chance to control the road ... watch out! (credit:Autopia/Facebook)
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